Bio-diversity, Environment and Mini-medical exhibition 2002

Organized by:   Forestry and Environment Society and  Biological Society ,University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Dates:               5 - 7 June, 2002 (From the World Environment Day on 5 June)
Venue:              University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Department of Forestry and Environment Science,  Department of  Zoology  and other Science Faculty Buildings
Financial Assistance: Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Sri Lanka Association for the Association of  Science (SLAAS), Institute of  Biology (IOB)
Collaboration: Independent Television Network (ITN), Young Biologists Association 

Key Activities:
1. Environment and Natural Resources Exhibition - by Department of Forestry and Environment Science
 2. Biodiversity exhibition - by Department of Zoology
3. Medical exhibition - by Medical Faculty
4. Teachers' Seminar on Biodiversity - by Department of Forestry and Environment Science with IOB (6 June 2002)
5. Quiz program
6. Visit to Yagirala University Field research center and forest

YBA activities 1998

August	21 Friday	Young Biologists’ Day	National Museum Auditorium
	27 Thursday	Workshop on Biodiversity - Jointly with SLAAS	SLAAS auditorium, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7
	28 Friday	Field tip to Sinharaja forest	Bus leaves from Museum at 6 am
	29 Saturday	Workshop on AIDS	Jointly with “NEST”
	30 Sunday	Natural History Museum - Study I	Natural History Museum
September	04 Friday	Evening with Prof Sarath Kotagama	National Museum Auditorium
	07 - 09	Field Trip and Research project at Horton Plains	Please contact Eco-tourism Co-ordinator
	13 Sunday	National Museum Study I	National Museum
	18 Friday	Group Work - Plant Identification - Session 2	National Museum Auditorium
	21- 23	Field Trip to Udawalawe and Rekawa	Please contact Eco-tourism Co-ordinator
	27 Sunday	National Museum Study II	National Museum
October	2 Friday	“What is Healthy Lifestyle” Lecture by Dr Harishchandra Yakandawela	National Museum Auditorium
	11 Sunday	Field trip to Muthurajawela	Please contact Eco-tourism Co-ordinator

Inaugural Meeting of the Young Biologists Association at SLAAS on 20 March 1998

Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka decided to form an association for younger biologists who are unable to join the activities of their professional organization. This association will be named as YOUNG BIOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION. 

Institute of Biology is the leading institution for professional Biologists in Sri Lanka incorporated by an act of Parliament in 1984.  Membership of IOB consists of most of the leading Biologists in Sri Lanka in Universities, Research Institutions and other state and non-state organizations.

Overall objective of establishing this association is to stimulate and develop an interest in Biology, and to promote dissemination and development of the knowledge in the field of Biology and related subject areas among younger generation. It is expected to organize lecturers, workshops, field trips and training programmes by this association.  

Inaugural meeting of the YOUNG BIOLOGISTS was held on Friday, 20 March 1998 at the SLAAS auditorium from 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm. This inaugural meeting was a brain-storming session as to what can be done in the future to promote biology among younger generation and to appoint office bearers for the first Council of this association.

All senior professors in Biology were present at this inaugural session.  Senior biologists in Sri Lanka, as well as younger biological enthusiasts made presentations.  After this inaugural session, meetings/ lecturers of this association were conducted at the Auditorium of the National Museums.

Meetings at Natural History Musuem

YBA meeting is in place, Tuesdays at 2.30 pm at Natual History Museum  

Logo of Young Biolosits' Association

  

AN EVENING WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST, Prof. Sarath Kotagama

Young Biologists’ Association held a special evening to introduce and discuss the services of Prof. Sarath Kotagama, Professor of Environmental Science, University of Colombo. This will be held at 2.30 pm on Friday, 4 September 1998 at the auditorium of the National Museums, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Prof. Kotagama has conducted several Scientific studies and rendered his services to several government and non governmental institutions as a Zoologist, Biologists, Environmental Scientist, and Conservationist.

Although it is common to introduce the services of artists to the people of this country, scientists have never been introduced in this way to younger generation. General public and younger generation know very little about scientists and their work. Objective of organizing this event is to introduce scientists, their research and development activities, to the general public and especially to the younger students.

YOUNG BIOLOGISTS' DAY 1998

2.00 Lighting of Oil Lamp
2.10 Welcome address by the President, Mr Sampath Wahala
2.15 Address by Mr S Lakdusinghe, Director, National Museums
2.20 Address by Dr Chandrani Wijeyaratne, President, IOB
2.25 Address by Dr Hiran Amarsekera, Patron, IOB
2.40 Cultural Presentation by a Member
 2.50 Address and Video presentation by the Special Guest Mr Hema Nalin Karunaratne
 3.50 Refreshments
 4.00 Presentations by members
            Expeditions to Horton Plaines and other places
            Six months with Young Biologists'
            Project work carried out by Young Biologists'
 4.30 Quiz programme on Biodiversity and Waste Management
 5.00 Quiz games and Member presentations
5.30 Vote of Thanks by Ms Nayana Perera, Superintendent, Natural History Museums.

Establishment of YBA in the Natural History Museum

An establishment ceremony of the Young Biologists’ Association in the Natural History Museum premises was held on Friday, 26 June 1998 at the National Museum, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7. Chief guest for the ceremony is Prof. A V Suraweera, Hon Minister of Cultural Affairs. Prof. K D Aruldpragasam, Vice Chairman of the National Education Commission delivered a special presentation and several University professors, other academics, government and non-government representatives also participated at this event. School students and Principals were also participated at this event.

Young Biologists’ Association was established in March, 1998 and this is an affiliated institute of the Institute of Biology which is the leading institution for professional Biologists in Sri Lanka incorporated by an act of Parliament in 1983. Aim of YBA is to promote Biology, Environmental Studies and related disciplines among students and to direct younger generation to achieve environmentally friendly development. With the activities of this association it was possible to establish an active dialogue and interaction among university academics, university students and school students for the first time in Sri Lanka. Resource inputs from the professional organization, Institute of Biology have been helpful in enhancing the knowledge of younger generation in the area of environment and development. Field excursions and lecture programmes were conducted by this association and students are now involved in several research projects relating to environmental pollution, waste recycling, biodiversity conservation and development of forest products.

PROGRAMME
2.30 pm Arrival of Participants
2.40 pm Address by Prof. K D Aruldprgasam Vice Chairman, National Education Commission
2.50 pm Opening of New Office of the YBA by Hon Prof A V Suraweera, Minister of Cultural Affairs
3.00 pm Planting of Trees
3.10 pm Welcome address by the President, YBA, Mr Sampath Wahala
3.20 pm Address by Dr S C Wijeyaratne, President, Institute of Biology
3.30 pm Address by Mr Sirimewan Lakdusinghe, Director Museum
3.40 pm Address by Prof H G Nandadasa, Professor of Botany, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
3.50 pm Address by Dr Hiran Amarasekera, Patron, YBA
4.00 pm Address by the Chief Guest - Prof A V Suraweera , Hon Minister of Cultural Affairs.
4.10 pm Vote of Thanks by Ms Nayana Perera, Superintendent, Natural History Museum
4.15 pm Drama on Environment and Tea

Visit our web site at http://www.EnvironmentLanka.com

What is Young Biologists' Association (YBA)?

YBA is an association, which promotes Biology, Environmental Management and Healthy Lifestyles among young generation. This was formed in 1998 by Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, the umbrella organization for professional Biologists' (Academics, Researcher etc. ) in the country.

Activities of the YBA: Study groups in the Museum and Natural History Museum, Field excursions, Workshops, Certificate courses, help in A/L projects, research, short courses (Photography, web design, plant identification, museum techniques).